Dispenser for carbonated beverage or the like

ABSTRACT

An improved carbonated beverage dispenser has a passageway between the carbonated beverage and an outlet valve. A foam inhibiting portion of the passageway progressively decreases, then increases, then decreases, and finally increases again in flow area. Preferably the flow inhibiting portion of the passage comprises a chamber containing two spherical bodies which float or move freely in the chamber.

United States Patent Martin et al.

DISPENSER FOR CARBONATED BEVERAGE OR THE LIKE Inventors: Richard E. Martin, Willoughby;

Anthony M. Gildone, Euclid, both of Ohio a Assignee: GMF Inc., Cleveland, Ohio Filed: June 28, 1974 Appl. No.: 484,122

U.S. Cl. 222/61; 222/564; 138/40 Int. Cl. B67D 5/14; FISD l/O2 Field of Search 222/564, 61; 138/40, 42

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/l940 Rice [33/40 Dec. 23, 1975 3.039.66l 6/l962 Wentz et al 138/42 X Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Assistant Examiner-Hadd Lane 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,927,801

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,927,801

Q IBM I! IS A IL U.S. Patent FIG. 8

Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 4 of 4 3,927,801

DISPENSER FOR CARBONATED BEVERAGE OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a dispenser for a carbonated beverage or the like and in particular it relates to reduction of foaming in the dispensing of such a beverage.

Dispensers for carbonated beverages are known, and one such known type comprises a device complete with a means for mounting a carbon dioxide cartridge and the necessary valving, the device being adapted for mounting directly onto a container such as a carbonated beverage syrup container for delivering the beverage. However, these and other known carbonated beverage dispensing arrangements have had certain prb- Iems or disadvantages. Firstly, when dispensing any beverage such as a carbonated beverage under pressure with a gaseous medium thereabove, there is a tendency for the liquid to foam as it is dispensed. Secondly, there is the problem of keeping the dispenser system in a highly sanitary condition. These problems are related since the basic approach to eliminating or reducing foaming, as described for example in US. Pat. Nos. 3,252,633 and 3,307,751 involve providing a reduced cross-section portion within the dispensing passageway, but this necessarily involves providing very small clearances for the liquid which are difficult to clean, thereby making it more difficult to provide maximum sanitary conditions therein.

Also, while previously known restricting arrangements for carbonated beverage passageways or the like have been satisfactory to some extent for accomplishing their purpose, they have not been completely satisfactory for all purposes so that there remains a continuing need for new and improved arrangements for reducing or eliminating foaming in the dispensing of a carbonated beverage or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved dispensing arrangement for carbonated beverages or the like which overcomes the problems and disadvantages in previously known arrangements.

This purpose of the present invention is achieved by providing a carbonated beverage dispenser having a passageway from the reservoir of liquid to an outlet valve and providing in this passageway a portion having a restricting means therein wherein the flow area progressively decreases over a finite length of the passageway after which the flow area increases again to the outlet valve.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the restricting means may comprise a ball located in the passageway wherein the passageway decreases in flow area from the upstream point of the ball to the diametral plane extending across the passageway. The arrangement may include a plug having a liquid passageway therethrough and having slots at one end thereof and wherein the ball rests against this end. In this manner the liquid leaving the revervoir passes through the plug and through the slots and around the ball. Not only has this arrangement been found to be very satisfactory for reducing or eliminating foaming, but in addition it is highly advantageous for maintaining sanitary conditions since the plug and hence also the ball can be removed for cleaning of the enlarged part of the passageway in which the plug and ball are normally mounted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of freely movable balls are advantageously provided, the upstream end of the ball or balls being retained longitudinally by engagement with the end of the plug and the opposite end of the ball or plurality of balls being restrained longitudinally by means extending across the passageway.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved carbonated beverage dispenser which minimizes foaming upon dispensing of a beverage.

It is another object of this invention to provide, in a carbonated beverage dispenser, a means for eliminating or reducing foaming which includes a portion in which the flow area which sequentially and repetitively decreases and increases in size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a dispenser valve assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention in association with a container of carbonated beverage;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, taken generally along the line 2--2 of FIG. I, further illustrating the construction of the dispenser valve assembly;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, taken generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship between a discharge spout and a manually actuatable valve handle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the construction of a foam inhibiting device;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the construction of a bottom wall of a chamber of the foam inhibiting device;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, illustrating the configuration of grooves formed in the bottom wall of the chamber;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a dispenser valve assembly forming a second embodiment of the invention, the dispenser valve assembly being illustrated in association with a tank of carbonated beverage; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating an arrangement for sealing of the tank of FIG. 7 prior to mounting of the dispensing valve assembly on the tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A dispenser valve assembly 8 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. I in association with a liquid container 10 which may, for example, be a disposable glass carbonated beverage container. The container 10 has a mouth 12 with a threaded exterior to which the dispenser valve assembly 8 is releasably connected. The dispenser valve assembly 8 is self-contained in the sense that it includes a pressure chamber 14 for holding a replaceable dioxide cartridge I6. Gas is ported from the pressure chamber 14 to the interior 20 of the container I0 through a pressure responsive valve assembly 22. Carbonated liquid 23 is discharged through a spout 24 upon actuation of a main control valve 2!:

A plastic body 26 of the valve assembly 8 includes a generally cylindrical wall 27 partially defining the chamber 14 and terminating in an internally threaded opening 28. A threaded end cap 29 is received in the opening 28 and includes an Oring 30 for sealing the cavity and also a pin 31 adapted to pierce the cartridge 16 to release carbon dioxide as the end cap 29 is screwed into the opening 28.

The carbon dioxide, having been released from cartridge l6 flows to the pressure responsive valve assembly 22 through slots 32 formed in the wall 27 and extending lengthwise of the chamber 14. The carbon dioxide flows to the container through the pressure responsive valve assembly 22. The pressure responsive valve assembly 22 includes a valve 40 mounted in the body 26 and is of the type used in automobile tires and hence it will be referred to hereinafter as a tire valve. When a central stem at the right end (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the tire valve 40 is engaged and moved leftwardly, the valve opens. To the right (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the tire valve 40 is a cavity 41 receiving therein a piston 42 having at the bottom thereof a projection 42a for engaging the stem of the tire valve 40 to open the tire valve when the piston 42 moves leftwardly. The piston 42 includes an O-ring seal 43. The cavity 41 extends rightwardly to an opening 48 which is blocked by an end cap 44. A central boss 46 extends leftwardly from the cap 44 and receives thereon a spring 47 which at its other end engages the piston 42 for urging the same leftwardly.

The piston 42 cooperates with a cylindrical wall 49 enclosing the tire valve 40 to provide an orifice through which carbon dioxide can pass under pressure when the tire valve 40 is opened by the projection 42a on the piston. To form the orifice, the piston 42 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 50 which extends into a telescopic relationship with the cylindrical wall 49. There is a small space between the inner surface of the cylindrical piston skirt 50 and the outer surface of the wall 49 to form a circular orifice so that carbon dioxide can flow from the slots or grooves 32 in the pressure chamber 14 through the open tire valve 40 to a cylindrical chamber surrounding the wall 49. The annular chamber 51 is connected in fluid communication with the interior 20 of the container through internal passages 52 and 53. Therefore, upon operation of the tire valve 40 to the opened condition carbon dioxide can flow from the pressure chamber [4 through the annular orifice formed between the piston skirt 50 and cylindrical wall 49 to the chamber 51 and from the chamber 51 through the passages 52 and 53 to the interior of the container 10.

As the gas pressure in the interior of the container 10 increases, the pressure in the chamber 51 also increases. The fluid pressure in the chamber 51 urges the piston 42 toward the right (as viewed in FIG. 1) against the influence of the biasing spring 47. As the piston 42 moves toward the right, the projection 42a moves away from the tire valve 40. When a predetermined pressure sufficient to keep the carbon dioxide in the liquid 23 is present in the chamber 20, the fluid pressure force against the piston 42 will have moved the piston away from the tire valve 40 through a distance so that the tire valve closes to block the flow of further carbon dioxide from the chamber 14 to the container 10.

[f the container 10 is utilized in a relatively hot environment, the pressure in the interior chamber of the container 10 may become excessive. To prevent the accumulation of excessive fluid pressures in the container 10, the piston 42 is movable toward the right through a distance sufficient to vent the chamber 51 to the atmosphere through a passage 54. Thus, once the O-ring seal 43 has moved to the right of the vent pas sage 54, carbon dioxide can flow from the chamber 51 around the exterior of the piston skirt 50 to the atmosphere through the passage 54.

If the container 10 is turned upside down, the liquid 23 may tend to flow from the container 10 through the passages 53 and 52 to the chamber 51. To prevent the liquid from clogging the tire valve 40 and otherwise interferring with its operation, the orifice between the piston skirt 50 and cylindrical wall 49 has a relatively small radial thickness so that the liquid cannot pass through the orifice. However, the radial thickness of the orifice is sufficient to enable carbon dioxide gas to pass through the orifice to the chamber 51.

When the pressure in container 10 is sufficiently low so that more carbon dioxide is required, this low pressure is communicated through the passages 52 and 53 to the chamber 51. The reduction in pressure in the chamber 5] enables the spring 47 to move the piston 42 leftwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1) so that the projection 42a opens the tire valve 40, permitting carbon dioxide to pass through the valve 40, the cavity 51 and the passageways 52 and 53 to the container 10. When a desired pressure has then been reached, the piston 42 will move rightwardly against the force of spring 47, thereby enabling the valve 40 to close. If the pressure within the container 10 and hence the cavity SI increases beyond a predetermined pressure, the piston 42 moves leftwardly until it abuts the cap 44 and vent passage 54 is opened to reduce the pressure in the chamber 51 and the interior of the container 10.

The dispenser valve assembly 8 further includes a central downwardly extending and internally threaded box 60 which engages the external threads on the neck of the container 10. When the container 10 has been emptied, the dispenser valve assembly 8 can be unscrewed and connected with another container. Of course, the carbon dioxide cartridge 16 will have to be replaced at this time.

When the liquid 23 is to be discharged from the container 10, a flow control valve is actuated to enable fluid to flow through the spout 24 (FIG. 1 and 3). The flow control valve 70 includes a generally cylindrical valve body 72 which is formed in an annular recess holding an O-ring seal 74. When the valve assembly 70 is in the closed condition 70 illustrated in FIG. 1, the O-ring 74 sealingly engages a frustro-conical valve seat 76 to block the flow of the carbonated beverage from the passage 78 to the spout 24.

When the valve assembly 70 is to be opened to enable carbonated liquid to be discharged through the spout 24, a handle 78 is moved upwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3) toward a fixed member 80 by squeezing them together. The member 80 is integrally molded with the wall 27 (see FIG. 2). As the handle 78 moves upwardly. the valve body 72, which is integrally molded with the plastic handle 78, is moved upwardly against the influence of a valve spring 82. The valve spring 82 is received within a cylindrical cavity in the valve member 72 and extends upwardly into abutting engagement with the fixed member 80. A second O-ring seal 88 blocks fluid flow upwardly along the valve body 72 to prevent leakage around the handle 78.

When the valve 70 has been opened, the relatively high pressure of the carbon dioxide within the interior 20 of the container causes the carbonated beverage to be forced upwardly through a cylindrical tube 92 to a foam inhibiting device 94. The carbonated beverage flows from the foam inhibiting device 94 to the main fluid passage 78. When the valve body 72 has been raised upwardly to the open condition, the carbonated beverage can flow from the main passage 78 to the spout 24. Of course, a glass or other suitable receptacle is placed adjacent to the spout 24 before the valve 70 is opened.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the foam inhibiting device 94 is effective to retard the formation of foam in the glass as the carbonated beverage is discharged from the spout 24. In one specific embodiment of the invention in which the liquid 23 was maintained at a pressure approximately 22 p.s.i., less than Va of an inch of foam was formed in a glass as the carbonated beverage was discharged through the spout 24 at a rate of about I ounce per second. By experi mentation it has been determined that if the foam inhibiting device 94 is not utilized, a substantially greater amount of foam is formed as the liquid is discharged into the glass.

The foam inhibiting device 94 includes a pair of tef- Ion balls 98 and 100 (see FIG. 4) which are disposed in a generally cylindrical chamber 102. The chamber 102 is defined by an externally threaded plastic wall 104 which is integrally formed with the dispenser body 26. The externally threaded wall 104 engages an internally threaded end cap 108 having a downwardly projecting tubular connector portion 110 (FIG. 1). The tubular connector portion 110 is provided with a plurality of annular ribs 112 which engage a flexible upper end portion of the tube 92.

The carbonated liquid enters the cavity 102 through a generally cylindrical passage 120 formed in the tubular connector portion 110. The lower end of the cap 108 is provided with a plurality of identical radially extending grooves or slots 124, 126, 128 and 130. The slot 124 has a generally semicircular cross-sectional configuration (see FIG. 6). However, the center of the arcuate bottom 134 of the slot 124 is disposed outwardly of a generally circular bottom surface 136 in which the slots or grooves 124 through 130 are formed. The slots or grooves 124 through 130 enable the carbonated liquid to flow around the lower end of the ball 100 into a relatively large area 137 of the cavity 102. As the liquid flows upwardly through the cavity 102, the flow area is diminished to a minimum at a horizontal diametral plane of the ball 100. The diametral ball plane at which the flow area is restricted to a minimum extends perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the chamber 102.

As the carbonated liquid continues to flow upwardly around the ball 100, the flow area increases to a maximum at 138 between the uppermost portion of the ball 100 and the lower most portion of the ball 98. Continued upward flow of the liquid results in a passing through a portion of the chamber 102 having a continuously decreasing flow area which reaches a minimum at the horizontal diametral plane of the ball 98. Continued upward flow of the carbonated liquid causes it to enter an increasing flow area portion 139 of the chamber 102. At the uppermost end of the chamber 102 are formed a plurality of radially extending slots or grooves 144, 146 and 148 having the same cross-sectional configuration as the grooves 124 through 130. Although only three grooves 144 through 148 are shown in FIG. 4, it should be understood that there are four identical grooves disposed in the same arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 5 for the grooves 124 through 130. After the carbonated liquid flows into the enlarged flow area 139 at the upper end of the chamber 102, it enters the main flow passage 78 leading to the dispenser valve 70.

The balls 98 and are freely movable both vertically and horizontally within the chamber 102. Thus, the spherical balls 98 and 100 have a diameter which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the cylindrical chamber 102. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the balls 98 and 100 had a diameter approximately 0.012 of an inch less than the diameter of the cylindrical inner surface 152 of the chamber 102. In addition to the sideways clearance, there is a slight endwise clearance so that the balls float vertically and sidewise in the chamber 102. In one specific embodiment of the invention, the total endwise clearance provided for the balls was approximately 0.0]0 inches. Since the balls 98 and 100 are free to float in the chamber 102, the clearance may be divided between the lower end portion of the ball 100 and the corner formed by the passage and surface 136, the upper end portion of the ball 100 and the lower end portion of the ball 98, and the upper end portion of the ball 98 and the corner formed by the passage 78 and the generally circular surface 154. During dispensing of the beverage 23, the balls 98 and 100 will move in the chamber 102 with a floating action as a flow of liquid is established through the chamber 102.

It has been found that as the clearances exceed the values set forth above, the balls 98 and 100 tend to rattle around and there is an excessive flow of carbonated liquid which results in the formation of substantial foam in a glass which receives the liquid. However, if the balls 98 and 100 are too large for the cavity 102, the flow is excessively restricted and it takes a relatively long period of time to fill a glass. In addition, an excessive amount of foam is formed in the glass.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. This embodiment of the invention is generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. Therefore, similar numerals will be used to identify similar components, the suffix letter a" being associated with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7 to avoid confusion. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, a dispenser valve assembly 8a is associated with a metallic tank or container 10a. The tank or container 10a holds a carbonated liquid. The tank or container is originally supplied with the upper end of the tank blocked by an internally threaded end cap (see FIG. 8) having a central opening 162 and a circular bottom wall 164. The opening 162 is sealed by a rubber grommet 168. An enlarged upper end portion of a tubular member is provided with an annular flange 174 which is disposed between a flange 176 formed on the end cap 160 and an upper end portion 178 of the container 100. The end cap and flanged end portion of the tubular member 170 are held in place by suitable clamp 182.

When the dispenser valve assembly 80 is to be mounted on the container 10a, a metal piercing tube 184 having a pointed end 186 is pressed into the rubber grommet 168. After the metal piercing tube has passed approximately half way through the tubber grommet 168, external threads on a downwardly extending wall 1040 of the valve assembly 8a move into engagement with internal threads on the end cap 160. To continue the downward movement of the metal piercing tube 184 through the grommet 168, it is necessary to rotate the dispenser valve assembly 8a. As the dispenser valve assembly 80 is rotated, the downwardly projecting annular end wall 104a moves into sealing engagement with the upper end portion of the grommet 162. As this is occurring, the metal piercing tube 184 enters into the downwardly projecting tube 170 in the manner shown in FlG. 7.

In accordance with a feature of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, a foam inhibiting device 940 is mounted on the lower end portion of the tube 170. The foam inhibiting device 94a includes a pair of balls 98a and 100a which are disposed in a generally cylindrical chamber 102a of the same construction as the chamber 102 of FIGS. 1 and 4. The balls 98a and 100a vary the flow area through the chamber 102a in the manner previously explained in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-6. In addition, the balls 98a and 102a are sized to freely move or float in the chamber 102a in the same manner as the balls 98 and 100.

A carbon dioxide cartridge 16a is disposed in a chamber 14a. The carbon dioxide cartridge 16a is pierced by point 31a on a plug 29a to enable carbon dioxide to flow along axially extending slots 32a formed in the wall of the dispenser body 26a.

[f the pressure in the container a falls below a predetermined minimum pressure, a spring 47a is effective to move a piston 42a toward the left (as viewed in FIG. 7) to open a tire valve 400. Opening the tire valve 400 enables carbon dioxide to flow through the tire valve to a chamber 51a. The chamber 51a is connected by passages 52a and 53a to a longitudinally extending slot 192 formed in a cylindrical tube 194 which circumscribes the piercing tube 184. The slot 192 extends through the grommet 168 to enable the carbon dioxide to enter the interior a of the tank 10a through an opening 195. A relief port 540 is provided to vent the interior of the tank 10a to atmosphere in the event of formation of excessive pressures in the tank. When the carbonated liquid is to be dispensed from the tank 100, the main dispenser valve 700 is opened by pivoting a handle 78a upwardly toward a fixed member 80 a. The pivotally mounted handle 78a is connected with a valve member 72a so that upward movement of the handle 78a raises the valve member 720 away from a valve seat 76a to enable liquid to flow through a spout 24a into a suitable glass or other receptacle.

Upon opening of the valve 72a, the carbonated liquid in the tank 10a enters the foam inhibiting device 94a through a plurality of openings 198 formed in the bottom wall of the chamber 102. The openings 198 are connected with radially extending passages, similar to the passages 124 through 130 of FIG. 5. The balls 98a and 100a vary the flow area through which the carbonated beverage passes from a relatively large area to a relatively small area at a horizontal diametral plane of the ball 100a and then to a relatively large area between the balls and back to a relatively small area at the horizontal diametral plane of the upper ball 98a. The flow area then enlarges as the liquid flows into the tube 170. The liquid then flows upwardly through the tube 170 to the cylindrical piercing tube 194. The carbonated liquid then passes from the piercing tube 184 into a main flow passage 780 formed in the body of the dispensing valve assembly.

In view of the foregoing description, it can be seen that the dispensing valve assemblies 8 and both include foam inhibiting devices 94 and 94a. The foam inhibiting devices prevent the formation of excessive amounts of foam in a glass upon opening of the main dispensing valve. Although the balls 98 and have been shown as separate members, it is contemplated that they could be jointed together at the upper portion of the lower ball and the lower portion of the upper ball to form a single member. Of course, the extent to which the balls were joined together would not be so great as to destroy the enlarged flow area in the middle portion of the chamber 102.

Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention, the following is claimed:

1. In a carbonated beverage dispenser having means for defining a flow path for the carbonated beverage from a container thereof to an outlet opening, a valve means for selectively opening and closing the outlet and a foam inhibiting means in the flow path upstream from said valve means for defining a passage portion of varying cross-section over a finite distance within the path for retarding foaming of the carbonated beverage over said flow path, said flow inhibiting means including means for reducing the flow area along the path from a first relatively large area to a second relatively small area, for increasing the flow area along the path from the second relatively small area to a third relatively large area, for reducing the flow area along the path from the third relatively large area to a fourth relatively small area, and for increasing the flow area along the path from the fourth relatively small area to a fifth relatively large area, the improvement wherein the finite distance of said flow path is defined by a member having a chamber, said foam inhibiting means comprising first and second ball members of equal diameter located in said chamber, chamber inlet means defining a seat for said first ball member and defining with said first ball member a passage therebetween for flow of fluid into said first relatively large area of said chamber, chamber outlet means defining a seat for said second ball member and defining with said second ball member a passage therebetween for flow of fluid from said fifth relatively large area of said chamber toward said valve, the difference between the diameter of said balls and the diameter of said chamber being 0.012 inches so that said balls are free to shift laterally in said chamber while fluid flows therethrough, and the difference between the sum of the diameters of both balls and the distance between said seats being 0.01 inches so that said balls are free to shift vertically in said chamber while fluid flows thercthrough.

2. In a carbonated beverage dispenser as defined in claim I wherein said chamber inlet means and said chamber outlet means include slots extending laterally of said chamber for fluid flow therethrough and said slots being open for said fluid flow even when said respective balls are in contact with said seats.

3. In a carbonated beverage dispenser as defined in claim 2 wherein said dispenser includes a housing, chamber means in said housing for receiving a carbon dioxide cartridge, passage means in said housing for conducting carbon dioxide under pressure from said chamber means to the interior of the container, second valve means in said housing for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means, said second valve means being operable between a closed condition blocking the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means and an open condition enabling carbon dioxide to flow through said passage means to the container, piston means disposed in said housing movable between an active position in which said piston means is effective to operate said second valve means to the open condition enabling carbon dioxide to flow through said passage means to the container and an inactive condition in which said second valve means is closed blocking the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means, biasing means for urging said piston means toward the active position, and said piston means including surface means exposed to the fluid pressure in the container for urging said piston means toward the inactive position against the influence of said biasing means.

4. In a carbonated beverage dispenser having means for defining a flow path for the carbonated beverage from a container thereof to an outlet opening, a valve means for selectively opening and closing the outlet and a foam inhibiting means in the flow path upstream from said valve means for defining a passage portion of varying cross-section over a finite distance within the path for retarding foaming of the carbonated beverage over said flow path, said flow inhibiting means including means for reducing the flow area along the path from a first relatively large area to a second relatively 10 small area, for increasing the flow area along the path from the second relatively small area to a third relatively large area, for reducing the flow area along the path from the third relatively large area to a fourth relatively small area, and for increasing the flow area along the path from the fourth relatively small area to a fifth relatively large area, the improvement wherein the finite distance of said flow path is defined by a member having a chamber, said foam inhibiting means comprising first and second ball members of equal diameter located in said chamber, chamber inlet means defining a seat for said first ball member and defining with said first ball member a first passage therebetween for flow of fluid into said first relatively large area of said chamber, chamber outlet means defining a seat for said second ball member and defining with said second ball member a second passage therebetween for flow of fluid from said fifth relatively large area of said chamber toward said valve, said first and second passages being defined in part by slots in said chamber inlet means and slots in said chamber outlet means, respectively, said slots extending laterally of said chamber, the relative dimensioning of said balls, chamber and seats providing clearance so that said balls are freely movable horizontally and vertically within said chamber. 

1. In a carbonated beverage dispenser having means for defining a flow path for the carbonated beverage from a container thereof to an outlet opening, a valve means for selectively opening and closing the outlet and a foam inhibiting means in the flow path upstream from said valve means for defining a passage portion of varying cross-section over a finite distance within the path for retarding foaming of the carbonated beverage over said flow path, said flow inhibiting means including means for reducing the flow area along the path from a first relatively large area to a second relatively small area, for increasing the flow area along the path from the second relatively small area to a third relatively large area, for reducing the flow area along the path from the third relatively large area to a fourth relatively small area, and for increasing the flow area along the path from the fourth relatively small area to a fifth relatively large area, the improvement wherein the finite distance of said flow path is defined by a member having a chamber, said foam inhibiting means comprising first and second ball members of equal diameter located in said chamber, chamber inlet means defining a seat for said first ball member and defining with said first ball member a passage therebetween for flow of fluid into said first relatively large area of said chamber, chamber outlet means defining a seat for said second ball member and defining with said second ball member a passage therebetween for flow of fluid from said fifth relatively large area of said chamber toward said valve, the difference between the diameter of said balls and the diameter of said chamber being 0.012 inches so that said balls are free to shift laterally in said chamber while fluid flows therethrough, and the difference between the sum of the diameters of both balls and the distance between said seats being 0.01 inches so that said balls are free to shift vertically in said chamber while fluid flows therethrough.
 2. In a carbonated beverage dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber inlet means and said chamber outlet means include slots extending laterally of said chamber for fluid flow therethrough and said slots being open for said fluid flow even when said respective balls are in contact with said seats.
 3. In a carbonated beverage dispenser as defined in claim 2 wherein said dispenser includes a housing, chamber means in said housing for receiving a carbon dioxide cartridge, passage means in said housing for conducting carbon dioxide under pressure from said chamber means to the interior of the container, second valve means in said housing for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means, said second valve means being operable between a closed condition blocking the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means and an open condition enabling carbon dioxide to flow through said passage means to the container, piston means disposed in said housing movable between an active position in which said piston means is effective to operate said second valve means to the open condition enabling carbon dioxide to flow through said passage means to the container and an inactive condition in which said second valve means is closed blocking the flow of carbon dioxide through said passage means, biasing means for urging said piston means toward the active position, and said piston means including surface means exposed to the fluid pressure in the container for urging said piston means toward the inactive position against the influence of said biasing means.
 4. In a carbonated beverage dispenser having means for defining a flow path for the carbonated beverage from a container thereof to an outlet opening, a valve means for selectively opening and closing the outlet and a foam inhibiting means in the flow path upstream from said valve means for defining a passage portion of varying cross-section over a finite distance within the path for retarding foaming of the carbonated beverage over said flow path, said flow inhibiting means including means for reducing the flow area along the path from a first relatively large area to a second relatively small area, for increasing the flow area along the path from the second relatively small area to a third relatively large area, for reducing the flow area along the path from the third relatively large area to a fourth relatively small area, and for increasing the flow area along the path from the fourth relatively small area to a fifth relatively large area, the improvement wherein the finite distance of said flow path is defined by a member having a chamber, said foam inhibiting means comprising first and second ball members of equal diameter located in said chamber, chamber inlet means defining a seat for said first ball member and defining with said first ball member a first passage therebetween for flow of fluid into said first relatively large area of said chamber, chamber outlet means defining a seat for said second ball member and defining with said second ball member a second passage therebetween for flow of fluid from said fifth relatively large area of said chamber toward said valve, said first and second passages being defined in part by slots in said chamber inlet means and slots in said chamber outlet means, respectively, said slots extending laterally of said chamber, the relative dimensioning of said balls, chamber and seats providing clearance so that said balls are freely movable horizontally and vertically within said chamber. 